Distributed sensor network using existing infrastructure

Abstract

A distributed sensor network is provided that comprises an existing electrical system infrastructure having a plurality of nodes and providing a source of power; and a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is associated with one of the nodes in the infrastructure. In addition, each sensor obtains power from the source of power and generates sensor information regarding one or more sensed conditions that are independent of the existing electrical system infrastructure. Among other alternatives, existing electrical system infrastructure can also be used to provide a communication connection between each of the plurality of nodes and at least one central node.

1 . A distributed sensor network, comprising:
 an existing electrical system infrastructure having a plurality of nodes and providing a source of power; and   a plurality of sensors, wherein each of said sensors are associated with one of said nodes, wherein each of said plurality of sensors obtains power from said source of power and wherein each of said plurality of sensors generates sensor information regarding one or more sensed conditions that are independent of said existing electrical system infrastructure.   
     
     
         2 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 1 , wherein said existing electrical system infrastructure further comprises a communication connection between each of said plurality of nodes and at least one central node. 
     
     
         3 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 1 , wherein said existing electrical system infrastructure comprises one or more of a power transmission network, a fire alarm network, a street lamp network and a cellular network. 
     
     
         4 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 1 , wherein a location indication is maintained for each of said sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 4 , wherein said location indication identifies a location of said corresponding sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor information is presented in a geographically referenced view that illustrates sensed levels as a function of location of said sensors. 
     
     
         7 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 6 , wherein said geographically referenced view further comprises time-stamp information. 
     
     
         8 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 6 , wherein said geographically referenced view is a three-dimensional view. 
     
     
         9 . The distributed sensor network of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor information indicates a level of one or more biological, chemical or radiological agents. 
     
     
         10 . A method for establishing a distributed sensor network, comprising:
 adding a plurality of sensors to an existing electrical system infrastructure having a plurality of nodes and providing a source of power, wherein each of said sensors are associated with one of said nodes, wherein each of said plurality of sensors obtains power from said source of power and wherein each of said plurality of sensors generates sensor information regarding one or more sensed conditions that are independent of said existing electrical system infrastructure.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of employing said existing electrical system infrastructure to provide a communication connection between each of said plurality of nodes and at least one central node. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said existing electrical system infrastructure comprises one or more of a power transmission network, a tire alarm network, a street lamp network and a cellular network. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of maintaining a location indication for each of said sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said location indication identifies a location of said corresponding sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of presenting said sensor information in a geographically referenced view that illustrates sensed levels as a function of location of said sensors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said geographically referenced view further comprises time-stamp information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said geographically referenced view is a three-dimensional view. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said sensor information indicates a level of one or more biological, chemical or radiological agents.